Tag: natural

Just the other day I was performing the weekly check of everyone’s teeth. All of the cats teeth were in fine condition, Vitzy’s teeth were at the same level. Finally I got to Tucker, I checked his left side and everything was pearly white, when I checked the right then I noticed it… A broken tooth with root exposed on his top right carnassial… Damn…

I wondered to myself ‘What had I do wrong?’ & ‘What was different than any other week?’

Then I realized, the one thing that could have caused this was his ‘raw hock bone’ as Tuck doesn’t chew on anything other than dehydrated duck feet and his raw bones. I thought I was doing the right thing by providing raw bones to my pet. I did a little research, and I was right to a degree. Here are some of my findings:

Beef, Bison & Elk Bones
Hock bones, marrowbones (like soup bones and centre cut marrows etc), Dino bones and knuckle bones are among some of the hardest bones available on the market. They are all weight-bearing bones (and to think these animals often are more than 1000lbs in weight) so they are thick and sturdier than other bones. If staying with beef, bison or elk opt for non-weight bearing bones such as rib bones and neck bones as they are more maliable and less likely to fracture teeth.

Chicken & Turkey Bones
I’m still not too keen on feeding chicken or turkey backs and wings, just seems like too many little bones of different sizes. I think they could cause obstruction in a large dog if they don’t chew them down properly. Instead opt for turkey or chicken necks, as the bones in the next are more uniform in size and are easily passable to most dogs.

Other bones to consider
Lamb & llama bones are thinner in profile the the regular beef & bison bone. These are far more easily chewed down and are a better alternative to the larger weight bearing bones.

Pros to Raw Bones
– They help clean teeth by the friction of chewing and the availability of natural enzymes
– They keep dogs entertained and relieve stress
– Save money on unnecessary dental cleaning
– Alternative to artificial and raw hide dental chews

Cons to Raw Bones
– Can cause teeth to fracture and break, if not given an appropriate type of bone
– Dogs could choke on pieces if not supervised

The use of essential fatty acids is vital in any format of nutrition. The use of fish based or plant based oils are the most common forms of supplemental EFA’s. An essential fatty acid is something that the body cannot produce on it’s own and must be supplemented into the diet. Omega 6 is the only essential fatty acid for dogs and cats, although both Omega 3 and Omega 6 are recommended as a combination.

Where the B.A.R.F. diet requires Omega 3 and 6 supplementation, any diet could benefit as well, including any kibble based diet or dehydrated/ freeze dried diet. Common Omega 3 and 6 sources include: Salmon Oil, Pollock Oil, Coconut Oil, Flax oil, all-in-one combinations are also available. Once opened these oils (with the exception of coconut oil) should be refrigerated to maintain their benefits.

I like to try new supplements, foods, toys and treats on my dogs to see how they like them and I’d like to share my experiences with you.

Nupro is a All-In-One supplement with natural ingredients to re-enforce supplementation with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and omega fatty acids. It contains Decciated Liver, Norwegian Kelp, Amino Acids and Enzymes, Yeast Cultures, Flaxseed, Lecithin, Garlic, Calcium Citrate and Lactobacillus Acidophilus. It looks like a brown powder and almost smells like gravy in the container. When added directly to the kibble or B.A.R.F. diet with water it mixes in smoothly and smells delicious. When trying to make just the gravy alone with water the kelp and heavier ingredients sink to the bottom making a kind of slush. I’ve tried it on both Vitzy (mixed in with her freeze-dried mix) and Tucker (In his kibble) and both of them polished off their bowls in minimum time. I used it for a two week period and stopped for a day to see what they would do… both stared into their dishes and looked back up to me as if to say “What am I supposed to do with this now?”. From the dogs it gets a Two-Paws up and is added to my regime of supplements.

Benefits of Nupro
– Complete Multivitamin/ Mineral supplement which can be added to any diet (kibble, Raw, dehydrated raw, freeze dried, home made, and any variation thereof)
– Promotes hair growth and stops itchy dry skin
– Steadies nerves (as proper nutrient absorption allows for better flow of nutrient absorption)
– Norwegian Kelp contains vitamins such as A, B1, B2, C and E which helps with bone and muscle growth. And also contains Iodine for proper glandular function and metabolism.
– Bee Pollen contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Is known to support the immune system and supports allergy protection.
– Yeast Culture contains proteins, Zinc and Biotin. Which is beneficial to the skin and coat, helping with dry itchy skin, hot spots and excessive shedding.
– Flaxseed contains Omega 3 fatty acids which help with the skin and coat
– Lecithin which contains choline which supports nerve, brain and liver function.
– Garlic contains Allicin and anti-microbial source is used to support the immune system.
– Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a probiotic allowing for gut friendly bacteria and a healthy digestive system.
– Calcium Citrate supports healthy bones, teeth and nerve function

Ways to use Nupro
– As a delicious food topper (gravy)
– Add water to the mix and freeze in ice cube trays for a quick nutritious treat
– Add Nupro to home made biscuits for dogs, for an added plus of vitamins and minerals

Elk Antlers are probably best known by their durability against strong chewers. They are all-natural, a novel protein source and a good treat for dental care.

Elk antlers are naturally shed by elk in the spring, and are cut down or halved for distribution to dogs. They are a great long-lasting chew as they do not splinter, chip or easily break. The marrow (or the inside) of the antler is what the dogs crave. For dogs who have not yet had an elk antler, starting with an antler with the marrow exposed and maybe a little bit of peanut butter on top is enough to get almost any dog onto this wonderful chew. For those seasoned dogs who know what they’re after, a fully enclosed antler will last much longer.

Being naturally-shed, antlers are less processed then almost any other treats, with no fillers, additives, dyes or preservatives and are also odour-free. They also contain beneficial sources of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese. They are helpful when cleaning teeth as the surface abrasion of the antler to teeth will help remove plaque and tartar.

A couple precautionary measures are useful when giving elk antlers to your pets. Avoid giving elk antlers to puppies with milk teeth, as adult teeth are more dense and less susceptible to fracturing when biting harder objects. Also supervision should also be advised, if a dog is to chomp down with full strength there is still the possibility of fracturing a tooth or the possibility of choking on a small object if they have chewed it down completely.

Diatomaceous earth is made up of Silica crystals, which is ancient microscopic algae particles. It works by dehydrating (or cutting the exoskeleton) of tiny parasites such as fleas, ticks, ear mites, hook worms, whip worms, round worms and pin worms (I have also used it in efforts to rid of house flies to much success). It can be given orally at small doses (such as a tablespoon per 55 pounds of weight) or externally (by rubbing into the coat or sprinkling on the bed/carpet area or window sills). It is a great natural alternative to de-worming medication, and pest control; which can often be toxic to both you and your pet.

Ways to Use Diatomaceous Earth
– Sprinkle on window sills (if flies are a problem
– Sprinkle on carpets/beds (for fleas or other external pests)
– Rub into the coat of an animal (for flea control)
– Administer Orally (To rid of various internal parasites)